CLOUD I - A SOLDIER'S FAREWELL

He stands on the edge of the stone cold wall, watching quietly as the winds whistled as they blew between the mountain pass. Behind him, civilisation, familiarity. Before him, hardship, uncertainty, yet necessity. There was really no question which way he had to choose.

His right hand slipped towards the familiar feel of the Buster Sword on his back. He felt its cool touch beneath the palms of his hand.

"You're leaving again? " a clear voice called behind him.

Without turning around, Cloud fixed his gaze on the ground. "Yes. "

"Where are you going? "

The question was asked with such bluntness, direct to the point. Cloud didn't need his eyes to know who was standing behind him.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? " the voice turned teasing. Cloud could almost feel the twinkle in her emerald green eyes. He imagined she had her thick brown curls in it's customary braid, tied with a pink ribbon no doubt. Her teasing smile, her laughing gaze.

"Can't respond to a question I don't know the answer to, " he said shortly.

"So," he heard footsteps; she was probably walking closer. "If you're leaving, but you don't know where you're going, why would you go in the first place? "

This time Cloud did turn to look at her. There she was, exactly as he pictured her; playful smile, laughing eyes. Her hands clasped behind her back, leaning forward ever so slightly. "You know the answer as well as I do, " he said with a noncommittal shrug.

"Well, " she said taking a few steps closer. "How long have you been planning this? "

"Aerith," Cloud said. It was so hard to be serious around her. "Please, just don't ask me any more questions."

Aerith nodded. "Okay, if you're sure then all I can do is wait for you to come back. "

When Cloud didn't reply, her smile faded. "One last question, okay? "

Cloud gave a small frown. "Fine, " he muttered.

Aerith's face lit up with an appreciative smile, for only a moment, before her expression turned serious. "Have you told her that you're going away? "

Cloud felt a searing pain in his chest at her words. If Aerith had taken a poison-tipped dagger and pierced his heart with it, she could not have caused him more pain. "No," he said simply.

One fine brown eyebrow raised. "Why not? You do love her, don't you? "

Cloud didn't answer, he just raised his hand to grip the handle of his massive sword once more. Without saying a word, he turned and began walking down the rocky mountain path.

Its because I love her...

X X X

KAIN I - A DRAGOON'S REDEMTION

Blackness, it's all he can see. Scurrying, shadowy forms as far as he can see.

He shifts slowly, hearing his dark armour clinck in response, his long spear, tipped with the finest quality metal found in the Land of Dragons. Peering through his dragon mask, he surveys the battlefield.

He sees the swarms of Heartless, lower level Shadows by his reckoning, charging along the steps to the imperial palace. The grand fortress of solid stone, adorned with statues of gargoyles and other protective creatures seemed to bear down on the creatures.

Kain knew beyond doubt that, despite the sheer size of the palace, it would only be a matter of time until the numbers and vicious instincts of the Heartless won out.

Taking a tighter grip on his spear and bracing his knees, the dragoon prepared for his assault. He saw a small force of warriors fighting back. They bravely resisted the horrors before them, yet their armour could not protect them from the Heartless' cursed attacks, nor could their weapons deal much damage to the creatures of darkness. Even now he heard the death cry of a fallen warrior.

"You will be avenged, " the dragoon said, bowing his head respectfully. Straightening up, his eyes narrowed beneath his helm. There was a beautiful wind blowing through the imperial city this night, perfect fighting conditions for one of his class.

He leapt, riding the wind, bringing his spear to bear as he plummeted back to earth, landing in the thick of the fighting. His spear glinted wickedly in the bright lights as it pierced through the shadowy figures. Shrill, piercing shrieks filled the night air, as the Heartless squirmed and died, leaving nothing behind as they disappeared back into darkness.

He heard the other warriors shouting behind him, some in wonder, others in fear, some in encouragement. He knew from the lack of metallic sounds that most, if not all of them, had stopped.

"What are you all standing for?!" He shouted. "You four! " he commanded, pointing at four reasonably tough looking fighters. "Fall back, guard the gates! We cannot allow them to breach the palace! The rest of you! " he went on as those he appointed, evidently recognising a seasoned, and confident warrior, fell back to man the gates. "Scatter! Shadows are weak and quick to fall! We must purge the area! "

The rapid clanking told him his commands had been obeyed, with one exception. A young warrior stayed by his side. The hair was loose and fell to the fighter's shoulders, rather than tied up in a bun like the rest of the force. Upon closer inspection, Kain realised this was a woman! He raised an eyebrow, from what he knew of the natives of this world, women were not a common sight on the battlefield. He supposed it was testament to her prowess with the sword she carried in her left hand.

As if to confirm his suspicions, the woman, without losing the calm, confidant expression on her face, leapt forward, cleaving a Shadow with a horizontal slash. Another jumped her from behind as its fellow shrieked and vanished. She simply reversed her sword and thrust backwards, killing the thing in mid-jump. She turned and used her sword to parry the slashing claws of a third Shadow. Gritting her teeth she kicked out, then brought her sword into a mighty downward slash, ending it.

Kain watched with growing curiosity. She was certainly talented, but talent alone does not keep one alive. Even now, more Heartless were swarming around the female, their clawed hands hungrily reaching out to rip and tear at her flesh.

He shot forward, his spear working so swiftly it was a blur even to his own eyes. Heartless were dying swiftly now. Seeing the armed devil skewering through the ranks of Heartless had spurred the soldiers on and they were fighting as furiously as ever.

Kain, leapt, allowing his spear to guide his arm, right, left, up and down. His spear cut through the nightmares in a flash of silver. Every conscious thought removed from his mind. Only a single thought remained, to end the threat, destroy the horde.

He shot at a Shadow that was trailing from the rest, making its way past the Defenders to the gate. It shrieked as his spear pierced the creature's abdomen. Without even looking, Kain's spear swung to the left, catching another that had been sneaking behind him.

He pulled back his spear, charging his energy and blasted forward, his spear bleeding blue waves of pure power. He ploughed through the seemingly endless ranks of Heartless, killing any that either thought they could stop his charge, or simply were not fast enough to dodge.

He skidded to a stop, having burned out a good deal of energy, he heard a Shadow stalking him. He waited, trying to recover somewhat before forcing the creature back. He never got the chance.

The woman he had noticed earlier dropped from nowhere and sliced the creature near the middle, killing it instantly.

"My name's Mulan, " she offered with a faint smile.

Kain gave no answer, he simply whirled his spear in his hands, feeling the sacred wind answering his call.

"Winds! " he shouted, swinging his spear, sending a razor-sharp jet of air in her direction.

The smile fell from Mulan's face as she ducked to avoid the blast. The Heartless behind her squealed in pain as it flew through the air.

Turning back to Kain, Mulan offered a second smile. "Nice spear-work! " she applauded.

"Don't celebrate just yet," Kain warned, lifting his spear into a ready position.

Mulan mirrored his movement, yet it seemed the battle had been won. The Heartless had done an about-face and were fleeing to the south, away from the palace. Kain could hear the triumphant shouts of the defenders as they rushed forward to harry the retreating Shadows.

However, Mulan had not made any moves to follow her fellow's lead. She had relaxed her stance, but didn't sheath her sword. "Why are they running? They still had us outnumbered! "

"Indeed, " Kain replied. "The tide was turning, but certainly not fast enough to warrant such a hasty retreat. This can only mean one thing!"

"They're bringing in the big guns! " Mulan finished, gripping her sword even tighter and gritting her teeth.

No sooner had the words left her lips then Kain felt a chill in the air. A fearful sense of dread gripped at the dragoon's chest as the very air rattled with a powerful wind, a strange gonging sound could be heard, along with the crackle of thunder.

He heard a gasp beside him, he followed Mulan's gaze to the horizon beyond the city. It rose from the darkness, a long, snake-like figure with gigantic wings. The creature flew with blinding speed towards the palace. The soldiers' shouts of triumph became cries of fear.

"The Storm Rider! " Mulan cried in disbelief as the creature came into sharp relief.

"Inside, now! " Kain shouted above the roar of the wind. He felt uncertain eyes on him, yet held his stance. Gradually the defenders filtered back to the safety of the palace.

Kain himself made no move to retreat, he held his position, spear at the ready. To his left, Mulan stood, looking frightened, yet resolute.

"You're not afraid?" Kain enquired curiously.

"I'm terrified, " Mulan replied, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. "But I can't leave you out here alone! "

Kain trained his gaze back on the gigantic Heartless. "Very well! "

At long last the Storm Rider was close enough. Kain's eyes widened beneath his helm. This Heartless was enormous! Easily the larger than a wealthy man's house! It resembled a snake-like dragon from its blue and white body to its huge wings. Most fascinating were the creature's eyes, glowing bright yellow on either side of its face. The winds howled and raged with every beat of it's wings. On its back were two long lines of bronze growths. They appeared similar to large frying pans, Kain noticed the creature was making that gong-like sound by banging those growths together.

Despite himself, Kain grinned. This would certainly be an interesting fight.

"You think we can win? " Mulan asked. Fear of the unseen is far greater than a fear before you; the young woman wasn't shaking any longer and seemed more cautious than afraid.

"Perhaps, " Kain allowed. "This creature is not the only one who rides the wind! "

As if to emphasise his statement. Kain leapt at the creature. Mulan watched as he soared, at one with the very air! He flew, impossibly high, past the Storm Rider's head, before readjusting his position and plummeting spear first to the ground.

The Heartless shifted just in time, Kain's spear missed its intended target, but tore into its left wing.

Roaring in pain, the creature thrashed furiously, losing altitude. It's slashing tail whipped towards Mulan, but the spritely woman, jumped clear of the danger and scored a deep slash with her sword in the Storm Rider's flank, earning her another scream.

Kain landed lightly near the woman. Exchanging a nod, the two warriors charged forward again. Kain scored a hit on the Storm Rider's side, before leaping up to strike at its neck, while Mulan attacked head-on, her sword swinging madly.

Kain was sure they would win, but then that gonging sound filled the air once more. The giant Heartless flapped its wings blasting both warriors back with a powerful gust of wind.

Try as he might, Kain could not take control of his body as the vicious winds cut into the exposed areas of skin and hurled him painfully against the palace walls. He guessed from the pained cry next to him that Mulan had suffered the same fate.

To his surprise, she shot forward immediately, only it seemed her sword had caught a light. She hurtled to the Storm Rider and attacked it near the wing-joint.

The dreadful wind stopped, Kain felt his limbs become his own once again. He ran to join the woman's assault, but the creature's tail, knocked him clean into the air. He soared high above them knocked by the sheer force of the blow.

But there was no one more skilled in aerial combat than a dragoon. Kain righted himself in midair, and rode the wind with as much finesse as he could and landed painfully on the Storm Rider's head.

Struggling to hold on, Kain's eyes widened as he caught sight a a glowing yellow light near the Rider's neck. It seemed to be a weak spot of some sort. If only he could reach it...

The Heartless shook its head fiercely, dislodging the dragoon and sending him flying. He managed to get his feet back under him as he landed.

"This monster has a weak spot on the back of its neck!" He shouted as Mulan ran up beside him.

"How do we reach it? " she asked, as the monster rose up. It began to circle, out of reach, planning its next assault.

"It will come back down to attack us, " Kain assured her. "When it does you need to distract it! I will handle the rest!"

"Here it comes! " Mulan cried, as the gongs sounded. The Heartless dived, twirling as it cut through the air.

Realising he had little time, Kain dropped to one knee, his left hand clutching at his weapon, his right on the cold stone floor. Concentrating his energy, the dragoon prepared for a single strike that would mean either the end of the Storm Rider, or theirs.

Mulan held steady, watching as the monstrous Heartless plummeted to earth. It spread ita great wings wide and fireballs began to rain towards the two grounded fighters. Clamping down on her fear, Mulan ran to the side pulling the creature's attention. Adjusting its wings, it began gliding down after her.

Just as she thought she was doomed, movement caught her eye. The dragoon leapt behind the beast, flying nearly as high as the clouds. A dragoon's most deadly ability is the "Jump". By using their prodigious aerial skills, a dragoon can reach altitudes higher than birds, before crashing down to earth with deadly precision.

This particular dragoon was a master of the Jump. Mulan watched in stunned awe as Kain reached his zenith, twirling gracefully in the air that was more home to him than the ground, his spear hungrily reached for the Storm Rider as he shot down.

She could hardly believe her eyes as the dragoon's spear pierced the weak point, causing the Heartless to roar in disbelief, as a blinding light enveloped the area.

The shock wave that followed knocked Mulan off her feet as the very ground shook beneath her. When she at last opened her eyes, the dragoon was still standing, unscathed, the tip of his spear pointing at the ground. He was facing away from her, in profile.

"You're unhurt? " Kain asked, coming forward.

Mulan shook her head. "I've been worse."

Kain nodded, before turning and walking away.

"You're just gonna leave? " he heard the girl call after him.

"I have much more work to be done, " Kain replied shortly.

"Please, the Emperor will want to reward or at least thank you! "

Kain halted his march, turned and faced the young woman. "I do not want your emperor's thanks, and what I want is beyond his power to grant. "

Mulan shook her head. "Then please come inside as a personal favour to me."

Kain truly hated it when they made it personal. All the same, it had been some time since he had a hot meal or a bed to sleep in.

"Very well, take me to this Emperor."

X X X

YUNA I - A SUMMONER'S DREAM

It was a truly beautiful day in the city of Bevelle. The city's great spires rose up as if in greeting to the brilliantly shining sun. Wispy patches of cloud adorned, rather than marred the blue sky above.

From her seat near the window in the one of the tallest towers in a city of tall towers, few could enjoy the perfect day better than the Summoner Yuna.

She was a pretty young girl by almost anyone's measure; shoulder length brown hair swept to one side of her face, creamy, flawless skin and petite of build. Her most prominent and unusual feature was undoubtedly her eyes. One was the clear blue of the sky, while the other the glistening green of the ocean.

She was dressed in her customary Summoner garb; a flowing blue skirt with a sleeveless white shirt and two separate white and pink sleeves draped her arms. She stared wistfully out the window, gazing out into that perfect world on that perfect day, yet confined to the city.

Spira was at war. Some Summoners had been called to fight at the forefront, while others were left behind to guard Yevon's capital. Most of those left behind were like Yuna, mere apprentices. Despite showing great promise, Yuna was only able to summon one Aeon, the most basic, Sylph.

"Lady Yuna, " her teacher, Lady Belgemine called, entering the room.

Yuna reluctantly turned from the splendour outside, but quickly rearranged her face into a smile at the sight of her tutor. "Please, Lady Belgemine, there is no need for formalities. Particularly when I am the student and you are the master."

Belgemine smiled at Yuna's politeness. "Perhaps, although the daughter of the great Lord Braska deserves respect, wouldn't you say? "

Yuna blushed at the mention of her famous father. "I sometimes would like to be known as more than just Lord Braska's daughter sometimes."

"Who knows? " Belgemine said, taking a seat next to Yuna. "Maybe someday you will. "

Yuna gave one last sad smile at the open window in response.

Watching closely, Belgemine caught sight of Yuna's less than happy expression. "You seem troubled this day, child. Is anything wrong? "

Yuna shook her head in response. Noticing Belgemine's disbelieving face, she quickly said, "I just feel that there is so much more I could give! "

"I don't follow, " came the elder Summoner's reply.

"Everyday, " Yuna explained standing up and walking to the window."Summoners risk their lives, fighting for our country and yet here I am, sitting safely behind these walls."

"And what help would you be to the war effort? " Belgemine asked. The elder woman never spoke to Yuna in a condescending tone, one of the reasons Lord Braska had agreed to allow her to tutor his daughter.

"I am a Summoner!" Yuna said passionately, as if that answered everything.

"Yes, you are. One with great potential, however you are young, inexperienced, " Belgemine chided gently. "Capable of Summoning only the most basic of Aeons."

Yuna seemed ready to argue further, but Belgemine was not done talking yet. "You have said with your own mouth that Summoners are risking their very lives on a daily basis. Those have been tried and tested, they have gained great power. They have travelled to almost every holy city in Spira, learning, teaching and earning the right to summon Aeons whose power is beyond comprehension. Yet, they still die. A young one as yourself would only hinder them."

Yuna lowered her gaze. She could hear the truth in Belgemine's words, that didn't mean she liked it. "I don't understand Yuna," Belgemine went on. "I've known you for most of your life and you've never struck me as a fighter, why would you wish to be in the vanguard of the war? "

"There's more to it than that, " Yuna said softly. "This more than fighting a war, " she said turning back to the window. "I want to see the world. Everyday I've lived in the same place, seen the same people. I became a Summoner to travel the worlds, yet I can't even do that! "

Belgemine gave a small smile of understanding. "Yes, one day you will assemble a force of Guardians and travel to the holy temples. One day when Yevon has won the war. For now, you'll have to make do with the small teachings I can offer."

Yuna nodded her head, but her face became downcast as a new thought entered her mind. "And what if we don't win the war? "

Belgemine stood up. "Have faith, Yuna. We cannot win a war if our own do not believe we can! Not another word on the subject! " She reproached as Yuna opened her mouth to argue. "We've wasted too much time today. It's time for your lessons. "

Giving Yuna one last gentle smile, the elder Summoner turned and left the room, while Yuna had no choice but to follow.

X X X

MATEUS 1- A DESPOT'S PLOT

He didn't much like this place. The emptiness seemed to almost consume him. Strange that even he, no stranger to Dark Magic, having even visited Hell, felt unnerved by the horror surrounding him at this moment.

He would much rather have met his reluctant ally in his home, Castle Pandemonium; an evil fortress filled with monsters and all manner of evils. Diplomacy, he chided himself, diplomacy was paramount.

As he walked through the silver palace, his luxurious purple and gold armour clicked and his staff tapping a rhythm on the floor, he suppressed a shiver. He was accustomed to places of malevolent evil so great it would send even the most valiant warriors running the other way in terror. Yet the "Castle That Never Was", as Xemnas had named it, was something far different.

There was a dreaded feeling in the air, as if everything around him would disappear. Nothing felt real, like he was standing on the edge of existence, the castle didn't feel like it existed, it made him feel as though he didn't exist!

The Emperor Mateus shook his head to clear it of such vile thoughts. Best get his job done and return to Pandemonium with all haste. He caught sight of a slimy, silvery form wriggling in his peripheral vision. Just as he thought to investigate, the creature shot around the corner and disappeared.

Mateus briefly entertained the thought of following the strange being, but quickly decided against it. He longed for the chaos and evil of his home, better get what he came from and begone from this wretched and hole.

Soon he came to the chamber Xemnas has told him about. It resembled a foyer, with its large open size, and luxurious red carpet on the floor. Yet, instead of stairs leading to different parts of the castle, there were only holes in the ground. Curiously examining one of them, Mateus saw a curious green substance had filled it. A turned and twisted, concealing, then disappaiting, neither liquid nor gas.

"Curious thing, these Interdimensional Portals, " a deep voice came from behind him.

That voice was quiet, yet chilling, brimming with unseen malice. Mateus knew at once who stood behind him. "Xemnas," he offered in greeting.

The other man smiled, a wicked grimace with no joy. He was tall, solidly built, dressed in a cloak of the deepest black. His eyes were burning fires set into deep sockets, while his hair was sleek, feathered silver falling down his shoulders. "Doors made of nothing, yet everything is contained within, " he said, coming to stand near the Emperor, watching the writhing substance in the hole.

"Where does it lead? " Mateus asked.

Xemnas gave a careless shrug. "You could leap in and find yourself in the exact spot you stood, only several millennia in the future. Or you may find yourself in trapped in the Void at the ends of time and space."

Knowing Xemnas was baiting him, Mateus did not enquire further. "You knew I was coming, " it was not a question.

Xemnas inclined his head. "You were spotted by one of my less than savoury companions. You saw him too, I believe."

"The creature? " Mateus asked. "I didn't know you considered me a threat worth spying on."

Xemnas laughed, an ugly mirthless sound that echoed around the room, amplified by the stillness of the castle. "Perhaps. Trust is commodity that my kind is very rarely afforded."

Growing mildly irritated with the other man, Mateus frowned. "You intend for us to speak here? I can't say I feel comfortable speaking around countless other servants of yours."

Xemnas nodded. "Follow me, " he bade, before approaching the northernmost hole and promptly jumped in.

Mateus followed apprehensively, recalling Xemnas' riddle about the portal. All the same, had the admittedly dangerous man wanted to kill him, he would have done so a long time ago. Not that the Emperor was defenceless. Only a fool would walk into such a dangerous place unarmed. He gripped his staff, hoping his magic skill would protect him, and leapt into the nothing.

When the darkness cleared, he found himself in a large chamber, the walls and floors were glowing white with black swirls and stripes. Or were the walls the floor, was their even a floor? Mateus didn't recognise the magic laid here, but understood enough to feel it's presence.

"You have a plan to share with me?" Xemnas asked, appearing out of seemingly nowhere.

"Indeed, " the Emperor replied, so used to the place that it even ceased to unnerve him. "The worlds are governed by two things as I'm sure you know!"

"Yes, " Xemnas said, walking closer. "However, my knowledge of them is woefully incomplete, so humour me. "

Mateus very much doubted the words. "Each world was given a Crystal in the dawn of time. These Crystals are linked to, but not one with the ever-flowing stream of Life Energy. If we can harness this energy and the crystals, we will be unstoppable."

Xemnas smiled indulgingly. "I fail to see why you need my help, Emperor."

"These Crystals are not mere trinkets to be taken by anyone, " Mateus replied. "They will be well-guarded."

"Whispers of your alliance with other powerful forces have not escaped me, " Xemnas replied. "Are you telling me that you cannot seize the Crystals yourself? "

Mateus smiled. "To take the Crystals would be a simple matter. However I have recently found that each Crystal corresponds to a Dark Crystal. My forces are powerful, but we cannot traverse the paths of Darkness as you and your kind can."

Xemnas nodded. "But what do I get out helping you! "

"I know what it is you ultimately seek, " Mateus smirked for the first time. "The imbalance will certainly aid your ambition."

Xemnas laughed again. "Very well, my friend. We will aid you, but I have one final question. Why do you choose now to act, when you made these discoveries years ago."

Mateus gave a cruel smile. "When I chanced upon the information five years ago, six warriors were powerful enough to stop me. Now two of them are too emotionally weakened to oppose me. Another is too caught up in her own arrogance to even try. As for the other two? They have already joined my cause!" Without another word, Mateus turned to leave.

"I counted five, " Xemnas called after him. "What of the last? "

"That is one who lacks the strength to embrace his power," the Emperor said with obvious disdain. With that, he stalked out, his cape flapping in the dead wind behind him.